Issue link: http://ssaansw.uberflip.com/i/721881
12 Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. SSAA National Junior Challenge All of Australia represented at the competition held in Batemans Bay The 2016 National Junior Challenge was hosted by SSAA NSW Batemans Bay Branch over three days from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 July It was the first SSAA Junior Challenge that had junior competitors representing every State and Territory from around Australia. A talented field of 30 participants took part in three core events; Field Rifle, Rimfire 3P and Rimfire Metallic Silhouette and two stand-alone supplementary events of BR30 and Air Rifle. There were two age groups, Under 15 and Under 18 which included a variety of experience levels with some juniors participating in certain disciplines for the first time while others were seasoned pros. Despite the individual awards at the end of competition, teamwork and sportsmanship was a key part of the weekend. More experienced competitors provided pointers and positioning tips to the less experienced shooters, even lending each other special shooting jackets or headwear to assist their overall score. Despite less than favourable and wet conditions on Friday, the Juniors remained in high spirits over the whole weekend. The comradery between the juniors as well as the junior's parents was quickly built and there was no mistaking the dedication and safety-first approach of each shooter when taking their place on the line. Batemans Bay's 10 metre indoor air rifle range was the scene for some intense competition at the end of the three days where it came down to a shootout. Juniors, donning the full shooting attire from shoes, pants and jackets to gloves and headwear, battled out for the top place with an exceptional level of completion displayed. Over the two age groups, it was the female juniors who brought the strongest level of competition consistently outshooting their male counterparts with a minimum of one female junior placing in the top three for every event throughout the weekend for both age groups. It was no surprise then when two females were crowned National Junior Champions - Katarina Kowplos from South Australia (U15) and Elise Collier from Victoria (U18). Congratulations to Batemans Bay Branch who did a sensational job hosting the event, it would not have been possible without the fantastic efforts of their volunteers.